LayarHijau – Competition in China’s newest drama slot is fierce, but the fantasy–adventure series Love on the Turquoise Land, led by Dilraba Dilmurat and Chen Xingxu, stormed onto screens on November 22 with a commanding lead. Its premiere instantly shot to the top of both TV ratings and online heat charts, beating out two highly anticipated rivals airing on the same day: Ren Jialun and Peng Xiaoran’s Love and Crown, and Yang Xuwen and Yang Zhigang’s Strange Tales of Tang Dynasty: To Chang’an.
Its strong debut is fueled by an engaging storyline, a tight blend of fantasy and suspense, and striking on-screen chemistry between its two leads. Viewers praised the show not merely for its romance, but for the mystery elements that keep audiences guessing.
At least three things have been singled out by Chinese viewers as the key reasons Love on the Turquoise Land climbed straight to No. 1:
(Warning: Contains story spoilers below)
A Gripping Plot with Horror Undertones
Love on the Turquoise Land opens with an intricate world-setting. In ancient times, a meteor crashes to earth and creates the so-called “Turquoise Land” (Qing Rang), spawning a bloodthirsty creature known as the Di Xiao (Earth Owl). To protect humanity, a group of elite warriors called the Nanshan Hunters emerges.
From the very first episode, the thriller elements are laid out with precision. Viewers are thrown into a mystery surrounding the strange, almost monstrous behavior of Yan Tuo’s (Chen Xingxu) colleague—behavior that uncannily mirrors the Di Xiao. The creature’s first appearance delivers effective, genuinely frightening horror beats rarely seen in idol dramas. Both Nie Jiuluo (Dilraba Dilmurat) and Yan Tuo carry secrets of their own, pushing viewers to piece the puzzle together.
A Powerful Alliance and Explosive Chemistry
The dynamic between Nie Jiuluo and Yan Tuo stands at the heart of the show. Their relationship begins with deep suspicion. Yan Tuo, a wealthy heir investigating the massacre of his family, initially views Nie Jiuluo as a threat. The two even clash in a chaotic car-crash-turned-hostage incident.
But faced with a common enemy— the Di Xiao— they eventually form an uneasy alliance. Yan Tuo even infiltrates the Di Xiao’s circle as a spy to feed Nie Jiuluo critical information. Their gradual shift from distrust to undeniable partnership feels natural, and viewers say their chemistry all but crackles on screen.
Deadly, High-Impact Fight Choreography
The show’s most talked-about highlight is its action—along with the reveal of its female lead’s true identity. Here, Love on the Turquoise Land breaks away from the stereotype of the fragile female protagonist.
In Episodes 5 and 6, Nie Jiuluo’s façade as a graceful sculptor shatters. She is actually “Feng Dao” (Mad Blade), one of the most feared elite hunters from the Nanshan Hunters. Her past is tragic—after losing her parents, she was raised in the Nanshan Hunters’ academy and trained as a weapon of war. Once her identity is exposed, she strides into battle in full black combat gear, her high ponytail slicing the air, transforming from an “art goddess” into a cold, lethal warrior.
A close-quarters fight between the two leads previously went viral on social media. In the scene, Dilraba wears silk pajamas while Chen Xingxu is in a tailored suit. Despite the casual sleepwear, her martial-arts movements are sharp, forceful, and deadly—creating a visually striking contrast. Oliver Chen, with his 186-cm frame, matches her step for step.
Another standout in the latest episodes is the battle against a group of human-shaped Di Xiao. When the Nanshan Hunters are nearly overpowered, Nie Jiuluo’s combat mode instantly turns the tide. Every strike is meant to kill, not merely look stylish, giving viewers a satisfying payoff. Dilraba’s switch from feigned fear to an icy, murderous gaze when she attacks Yan Tuo inside the car also showcases her strong action-acting chops.
With its brain-twisting storyline, fresh horror twist, and top-tier action set pieces from Dilraba and Chen Xingxu, Love on the Turquoise Land is poised to dominate ratings for weeks to come.
